Downtown Strategic Plan, 2016-2020

The document below is a strategic plan for the continued revitalization of downtown Monmouth, Illinois. This plan begins at the end of a five-year strategic effort entitled “Reimagining the Heart of Our Community.” This previous effort saw the improvement of over 16 downtown buildings and a “plus 18” growth in the number of retail and service businesses in our community ­ and culminated in the Monmouth/Roseville region being named a quarterfinalist in the America’s Best Communities national competition.

A core group of community members and stakeholders have driven a large research effort into the needs and wishes of our community members, from online surveys to face-­to-­face community engagement brainstorming sessions, as well as bringing in professional consultants to facilitate sales and demographic data research and essential downtown design.

The context of the current state of Monmouth (both social and economic) is defined by a number of core principles that provide the foundation upon which this strategic plan is built. The physical scope of this plan coincides with the boundaries of the Warren County Courthouse Commercial Historic District (recognized as a historic district on 2/1/2006). While this plan should be seen as a “living” document, it was written with a five­-year horizon in mind (slated for a major revision in late 2020).

This revitalization plan is based upon five primary pillars of action: Business Development, Arts and Culture, Physical Restoration, Community Development and Marketing. Each pillar represents a vital system in the overall economic ecosystem of Monmouth’s downtown.

Downtown Strategic Plan, 2010-2015

After over 15 months of work, numerous community engagement and focus group meetings, and the support of the City Council, the Mayor and the City Administrator, the City of Monmouth published our downtown revitalization strategic plan, entitled Reimagining the Heart of Our Community. This planning document served as a decision-making tool as we prioritized our efforts to reenergize and rebuild our city center. Successful progress was made by the City in partnership with businesses, financial organizations, service organizations and community volunteers.